FAQ

Many people have asked about "helping out with a class" in terms of assisting or being a Range Safety Officer (RSO). Many others have asked if we are hiring instructors. 

Patriot Training really would like to have you help out with a class. 

Naturally, you need to know what we expect out of our assistant instructors and range safety officers. Also, as with any firearms training school, we have a minimum set of requirements to be an instructor / assistant / or Range Safety Officer:  The Instructor Certification Class details out these things and more. 

At Patriot Training, we appreciate those who already have credentials, such as the NRA or USCCA. We also appreciate those who have Law Enforcement or military backgrounds, including instructor backgrounds in those institutions. None of these things, however, will be enough to allow a person to “walk on” as an instructor or assistant. It is imperative that a person understand the culture that is being cultivated at Patriot Training, as well as the expectations of instructors – and the above requirements guarantee that. 

This class is a complete lesson in professionalism, as well as firearms class management.

Patriot Training Classes can be held at most modern ranges. 

Patriot Training live fire instructors are NRA Certified and fully insured. 

Ask your local range if they are willing to have a licensed, insured, proven instructor hold a class there! 

CLASSES THAT CAN BE "MOBILE"

URBAN RIFLEMAN

ESSENTIAL PISTOL 

EXPERT RIFLEMAN

CITIZEN SNIPER

LONG RANGE PATROL

* Specialty Classes and Day-1 only classes are possible - please reach out to us! *

RANGE REQUIREMENTS FOR CLASSES:

ESSENTIAL PISTOL minimum range requirements

• 25 yards long 
• 20 yards wide - able to accommodate 10 shooters wide at a time. 
• 10 Target stands with sticks and backers
• 1 Large IDPA steel target, or space for same (25 yards away)

URBAN RIFLEMAN minimum Range Requirements

• 100 yards long 
• 50 yards wide - able to accommodate 12 shooters wide at a time. 
• 12 Target stands with sticks and backers
• 1 Large IDPA steel target, or space for same (100 yards away)
• 4 barricades or pieces of cover (Plywood, barrels, VTAC, etc.)
• 180* berm area for CQB setup
• "Walls" for CQB iteration

EXPERT RIFLEMAN minimum Range Requirements

• 300 yards long 
• 50 yards wide - able to accommodate 12 shooters wide at a time. 
• 12 Target stands with sticks and backers
• 1 Large IDPA steel target, 3 medium IDPA steel targets, or space for same (100-300 yards away)
• 4 barricades or pieces of cover (Plywood, barrels, VTAC, etc.), 2 of which must be VTAC style. 

CITIZEN SNIPER minimum Range Requirements

• 500 yards long 
• 50 yards wide - able to accommodate 12 shooters wide at a time. 
• 12 Target stands with sticks and backers
• 2 Large IDPA steel targets, 3 medium IDPA steel targets, or space for same (100-500 yards away)
• 4 barricades or pieces of cover (Plywood, barrels, VTAC, etc.), 2 of which must be VTAC style. 

LONG RANGE PATROL minimum Range Requirements

• 100 yards long 
• 50 yards wide - able to accommodate 12 shooters wide at a time. 
• 12 Target stands with sticks and backers
• 1 Large IDPA steel target, or space for same (100 yards away)
• 4 barricades or pieces of cover (Plywood, barrels, VTAC, etc.)
• Adjoining wooded area or similar. 

Patriot Training Classes can be audited.

To audit a class, please select the class you wish to audit, and purchase your spot in class. In the field where you enter your name for the certificate, please indicate your name and intentions:

"My name is John Smith and I wish to Audit the class."  

REFUNDS

Patriot Training does NOT offer Refunds. 

* Tuition sale is final and is a commitment to train with Patriot Training at the date and time scheduled.

* Patriot Training does not offer refunds, exchanges, or transfers to students who cancel or fail to show up for class.

* This policy is firm and there will be no exceptions.

Why? 

- Because if you decide the day before class that you don't like the weather forecast (or insert whatever excuse here), we will not have time to sell that spot to a serious participant that has been turned away. 

RESCHEDULE

Cannot make a class and need to reschedule to a future class? 

Fine by us! 

You may reschedule for the same class (i.e. Urban Rifleman for Urban Rifleman) in the future for only a $50 processing fee. There must be a future offering on the schedule, and once you select the date, that date will be locked in. Future reschedules will be subject to additional $50 processing fees. CLICK HERE TO RESCHEDULE.

LIMITED TRANSFERS

Can't make Class? 

Want to transfer (give) your spot to someone else so they can take the class?

Fine by us. Make sure you give us at least 3 days notice (no later than Wednesday prior). If that person cannot make it, the same no refund policy applies.

CANCELLATIONS

In the unlikely event Patriot Training is forced to cancel a class, refunds and exchanges will be offered.

(To date, Patriot Training has never had to cancel a live fire class)

"I am new to guns. Do I need to take a 'basic' class before attending one of your classes?"

- Patriot Training classes are geared toward all shooters of all skill levels. 

EXPERT RIFLEMAN, URBAN RIFLEMAN, and ESSENTIAL PISTOL are all perfectly suitable for brand new beginners. Many first time shooters have taken these classes and all have performed very well! 

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN is geared toward the brand new shooter. 

"I am a skilled member of the military / LEO, do you have anything that will challenge my skills?"

- Absolutely! Patriot Training classes are focused on improving the individual abilities of the student. Our exercises are measured so that you can determine your performance level before and after the expert coaching! 

Come on down and learn what your military / law enforcement training did not teach you!

PREREQUISITES

Citizen Sniper, Long Range Patrol, and Analytics classes require the student to have had a prior classwork. This requirement cannot and will not be waived due to prior (military, law enforcement, etc.) training. Because Patriot Training is a CIVILIAN firearms training academy, prior experience in military / law enforcement / other government training does not tend to transfer very well, as we do a number of things differently for good reason.

• If you are afraid that this means the class will be too basic, then we kindly remind you that if you are as high speed and low drag as you claim, then you know gun fights are won with basics. 
• If you feel this prerequisite is insulting, then blame the folks who showed up to class and were nowhere near squared away and ruined it for you: legit prior military, as well as prior military who lie about what they did, as well as stolen valor bitches. 
• If you are convinced that this is some evil plot to separate you from your money, then you are right - don't train here. (We will not waste our time arguing with fools). 

Here are the prerequisites needed:

1. Long Range Patrol - Urban Rifleman, Expert Rifleman, or similar carbine class from a reputable civilian firearms training academy. Carbine 1 from Middle Tennessee Firearms Training is an excellent prerequisite. 
2. Pistol Analytics - Essential Pistol or a similar defensive pistol class from a reputable civilian firearms training academy. Defensive Pistol from Middle Tennessee Firearms Training is an excellent prerequisite. Ability to draw and reholster safely, as well as manipulate the pistol in a high ready / "workspace" area reliably and safely. 
3. Citizen Sniper / Scoped Rifle Analytics - Expert Rifleman or American Rifleman will make for a perfect prerequisite. A scoped rifle class from a reputable civilian firearms training academy will be fine, as well. An Appleseed would also work. 

All Patriot Training classes are conducted by God's grace in the Southern American variation of English. Our instructors are also fluent in sarcasm and profanity. However, currently, none of our instructors are fluent enough in a foreign language to conduct classes. 

If you need a class in another language, you will want to look at one of our small group classes, and you will need to provide your own interpreter. The interpreter will need to meet all requirements to be a student, even if he will not be participating. 

All Patriot Training Live Fire classes have a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If, after participating in the whole class, you are dissatisfied, notify the instructor and we will refund your money. If you fail to participate in the whole class, you forfeit the money-back guarantee. 

YES! THERE WILL BE ADULT CONTENT IN EACH CLASS.

Since these classes deal with some of the harsh realities of life, topics will most assuredly contain mature content.

Our instructors actively try to avoid using profanity every other breath. 

There may be profanity from the instructors and participants. In addition to harsh language, there may also be discussions of violence, gore, drug use, sexual content, and any other type of content that may be "R" rated. We may also jest, banter with you, josh with you. pull your leg, give you a nickname, or say or do other silly things.

Because there will be "adult content" and "politically incorrect" content in every class, if you are easily "triggered." then this will not be the right place for you to train.  

PRIVATE CLASS?

CLASS THAT IS NOT ON THE SCHEDULE?

YES!

We offer semi private classes for groups of 3-6 shooters. 

These classes can be offered during the week, or on a weekend when no Patriot Training class is scheduled. 

Semi Private classes are $1200 for entry level and $1500 for advanced level topics - when hosted at Mountain Top Gun and Archery. Prices for Semi Private classes to be hosted elsewhere will be adjusted for travel. 

ENTRY LEVEL CLASSES:

• Essential Pistol Day 1
• Urban Rifleman Day 1
• Expert Rifleman Day 1

ADVANCED LEVEL CLASSES:

• Essential Pistol Day 2
• Advanced Pistol: Family Protection
• Advanced Pistol: Active Shooter
• Advanced Pistol: Extreme Close Quarters

• Advanced Rifle: Mid Range Carbine (Expert Rifleman Day 2)
• Advanced Rifle: Citizen Sniper Day 1
• Advanced Rifle: Citizen Sniper Day 2

• Small Unit Tactics: Shoot-Move-Communicate!
• Small Unit Tactics: CQB Mastery
• Small Unit Tactics: Long Range Patrol Day 1
• Small Unit Tactics: Long Range Patrol Day 2

Ages 11 - 17 welcome with participating parent / guardian.

Adult content cannot be changed because your minor child attends.

WE WILL SHOOT, RAIN OR SHINE!

EXPERT RIFLEMAN, URBAN RIFLEMAN, and ESSENTIAL PISTOL are held 8:30 am - 5:30 pm, Central Time

ESSENTIAL SNIPER and ESSENTIAL PISTOL II both start at 8:30 am sharp. There will be evening work, as well, in both classes. 

Should I bring lunch?

Yes - BRING A LUNCH!  There is no place nearby to go buy lunch / snacks.

SAFETY

ALL Patriot Training classes are conducted with safety at the forefront of the training. All participants are expected to follow the Four rules of firearms safety at all times, regardless of circumstance. 

• Rule 1: Treat all firearms as if they are loaded, always. 
• Rule 2: Never let the muzzle cover (point at) anything you are not willing to destroy.  
• Rule 3: Keep your finger OFF the trigger until you are ready to fire.
• Rule 4: Be sure of your target and what is behind it, beyond it, next to it, in front of it, or near it. 

Although it is VERY rare to see a participant who is so callous or psychologically disengaged as to violate these rules repeatedly, Patriot Training reserves the right to end the training for any participant who violates safety rules. Participants who have their training ended will be removed from class immediately and will not be eligible for refund. 

CLASS SIZE

Most classes will usually have no more than 12 participants. We will keep an appropriate teacher-student ratio in order to provide YOU with the coaching you need to make improvements. You will receive one-on-one coaching with the main instructor. 

CLASS CULTURE

The class culture at Patriot Training is fun-loving and professional. There will be jokes - tasteful and tasteless. There will be constant professionalism. You will have fun. You will train with deadly seriousness. If you are lucky, you will earn a nickname.

CLASS TIMES

All classes held at Mountain Top Gun & Archery start promptly at 8:30 am Central Time. 

We aim to wrap up around 5:00 pm or 5:30 or so. 

Sometimes it takes a little longer. Sometimes, we wrap up a bit sooner. 

Patriot Training recommends that you bring only new, factory loaded brass cased ammunition. 

The AK47/74 is designed for and run much better with steel cased ammo.

Most every other gun will run much better if you feed it quality brass ammunition. 

- Hand loaded ammunition is best left at home.  

- Hand loads are not permitted for use in rental guns.   

- If your handloaded ammo blows up your gun, you ARE NOT putting that junk in one of our loaner guns! 

You do not need to be "Captain America" to take Patriot Training classes. 

CORE CLASSES - Essential Pistol, Urban Rifleman, Expert Rifleman:

You will be walking a little bit here and there. You may find yourself bending or kneeling and we will be getting in and out of different field positions - kneeling, sitting, prone - for several drills. We will be on our feet much of the day. If flexibility is an issue on a certain drill or segment, we will try our best to accommodate. 

No participant is ever required to perform any drill - particularly if it may be unsafe for them. 

ADVANCED CLASSES - ESSENTIAL SNIPER:

You will be walking over two miles each day in class. You will need to be able to bend, kneel, go prone, etc. You will be carrying your rifle and a patrol pack most of the day each day. Again, if there is a flexibility issue, we will try to accommodate. 

PISTOL CLASSES

We may walk a half mile each day. Normal bending, standing, and similar movements. 

No participant is ever required to perform any drill - particularly if it may be unsafe for them. 

YES - we accept cash, Venmo, PayPal, Money Orders, etc. for payment. 

We have been known to accept trades, firearms, ammo, sexual favors, gear, and other such in exchange for classes.

If you have something in mind, message us. 

Please note:  You must prepay in advance to reserve your seat in class. Patriot Training does not permit "walk on" attendance. There are no "pay the same day you show up" options. 

"Will I have time to zero my rifle?"

* At American Rifleman, Expert Rifleman, and Urban Rifleman - YES, part of our lesson plan is to walk you through the steps of how to zero.

* Long Range Patrol and Civilian Sniper classes both require you to bring a zeroed rifle.

- Boresighted is not zeroed. 

- Zeroed with different ammo is not zeroed.  

- Zeroed by someone else is not zeroed. 

What Zero should I use?

Use a 50-yard zero, a 100-yard zero, a 200-yard zero, or a 300-yard zero; Depending on rifle, optic, and personal preference.  If you are unsure, bring what you have to class and we will guide you.  

Patriot Training does not permit "walk on" attendance. The Patriot Training class schedule is set months, and sometimes years in advance. Classes are appointments to meet at a specific time and place to provide a specific course material. 

There are no options to pay the day of the class, or wait until the last minute to decide to attend. 

We know your schedule is busy - this is why we publish the class schedule well in advance, so you can plan your training with Patriot Training. 

Want to come down and "check us out?" 

Please do!

Here's how:

Select the class you want to check out, and purchase your spot. In the space for your name, please indicate that you wish to "Audit"  the class. 

A very few military vets out there believe that civilians should not train in military tactics. These are often the same people who frequently confuse tactics and techniques. Sometimes, these individuals believe that there is firearm or team tactic training that you can only get in the military.

This is all flat-out wrong... horse hockey.

Civilians need to learn tactics - and those tactics need to inherently have similarities to military tactics, as well as distinct differences. The techniques are marksmanship, gun handling, presentation, and more. The tactics are wide-ranging, and are based on logic. 

At PATRIOT TRAINING, you will never encounter our staff demonstrating or permitting military elitism. 

Because they fail.

Because they fail.

Because they are hot garbage. 

After they fail, they fail some more. 

If you didn't know they failed, you really did no research. 

Even police departments know how bad they are.

I just fucking shot myself. 

For added measure:

As a firearms instructor, if a student is using a Serpa, it is known that two things are true:

1. That person has not taken a pistol training class. 
2. That person has not practiced much, if at all. 

"Can you hold a class for me?"

ABSOLUTELY! 

Here's how:

Go to the class you want, and purchase your spot in class. 

Although Patriot Training is not a bank, nor any type of FDIC institution, we want to make training affordable for all who seek it. 

You may purchase, in $25 increments, credit towards a class. This way, you can build up the tuition. 

This option does not hold you a spot in any specific class, but it enables you to pay as you go for a class in the future that you have your eye on!

AMMO

"I CAN'T FIND AMMO ANYWHERE. DO YOU HAVE SOME FOR SALE?"

- NO. We are not a firearms nor ammunition shop. Check online. Our instructors and students have not had any difficulty buying ammo online. 

                                                                  -  -  -  -  -

FREE RENTAL GUNS & EQUIPMENT

If you do not have a suitable firearm for the class, fear not! We have a limited number of rifles and handguns available to loan you - FREE! 

• Rifles are AR-15 models, suitable for the class at hand. 
• Pistols are GLOCK 19 or similar. 
• Magazines will be for the gun you are using - class minimum provided. 
• Also offered gear are chest rigs for rifle classes, belt mag pouches for rifle classes, and pistol belt mag pouches for pistol classes. 

You must bring your own ammo!

Caliber: .223 Rem / 5.56 mm NATO for rifles.

Caliber: 9mm NATO (9mm Luger) for pistols. 

NO handloaded ammunition permitted in rentals. 

NO steel cased ammunition permitted in rentals. 

Hotels - McMinnville, TN has several hotels. Our students have always suggested the Best Western Tree City Inn location and the Hampton Inn. 

Camping at the range is an option, as well. There is outdoor and indoor camping. There is a shower, kitchen area, restrooms, and electricity. Mountain Top Gun and Archery charges only $25 per person per night. You may pay that in cash at the drop box at the range, or via Venmo or PayPal (link to range website below for those options)

If you camp outside, you will need normal camping equipment - there is nothing there but open ground. 

If you bunk inside, you will need to bring an inflatable mattress, cot, or something similar. There are no beds or other accommodations. 

This is one of the more unusual questions we get. Nobody asks why it costs money to see a doctor or retain a lawyer, or build a house, or most any other profession. Nevertheless, here are a few reasons:

• Professional certifications: they were neither cheap nor easy to obtain - unlike your girlfriend. 
• Professional liability insurance. 
• Targets. Seriously, if the class were "free" then everyone would have to bring their own. Half of the folks would forget, and the other half would not be uniform.
• Target stands. See "targets."
• Steel targets
• Staple guns & staples
• Range access fees. 
• Time. Remember: time = money.
• Expertise. Just because someone knows how to shoot does not mean they know how to teach that skill.
• Professionalism. Our instructors will present material without yelling at you like a drill instructor - even though you may deserve it!
• Professional coaching - showing and stating how to do things, instead of just yelling "you're doing it wrong!"
• Professionally constructed curriculum. 
• Professionally constructed PowerPoint to accentuate the curriculum. 
• Professionally constructed handout to compliment the curriculum and PowerPoint presentation. 
• Loaner materials. I know - you are not going to need them. Everyone who has used them came to class thinking that. And someone uses them in every class. 
• Website, Facebook page, ads, marketing. 
• Profit. No, it is not a bad word. And no, we are not ashamed of earning a profit. 
• Besides - only SOCIALISTS want everything to be "free!"
• "But I learned it for free in the Military!" Yes! Thank you for your service! And that's why Patriot Training classes are not free - because the classes include so much more!

MOST IMPORTANT - A gun class costs money because it is worth every penny and more!